Survivors Jade Blue and Charlotte join Debbie on the Resolute podcast to discuss their experiences after sexual violence.
Charlotte discusses her Open Justice For All campaign that secured free court transcripts for sexual offence victims, while Jade shares insights from successfully suing the CPS and her work on police advisory groups. Both women speak candidly about rebuilding intimate relationships after trauma and navigating a justice system that repeatedly fails victims – from inadequate police responses to traumatic court experiences that led both to contemplate suicide.
They highlight how poor training, lack of empathy, and systemic failures, contribute to the low conviction rates for sexual offences. The conversation examines the urgent need for properly funded survivor support services, as volunteers and underpaid victim advocates often provide the only consistent support through a victim’s journey. Despite their ongoing advocacy work, both women acknowledge the exhaustion that comes with pushing for meaningful change in a resistant system.
00:00 Introduction
00:39 Charlotte’s Advocacy Journey
01:50 Campaign Success and Government Pilot
03:07 Challenges in the Justice System
04:45 Jade’s Justice Journey
06:10 Independent Advisory Groups
08:09 Victim Support and Safe Spaces
12:17 Police Training and Response
17:41 Personal Stories and Moving Forward
25:18 Charlotte’s Relationship and Realizations
33:01 Re-reporting the Rape: A Second Chance
33:48 The Harsh Reality of the Justice System
35:10 The Emotional Toll on Victims
37:36 The Fight for Change
44:11 The Role of Support Systems
51:08 The Need for Proper Funding
57:28 Concluding Thoughts
